Passion For Park Cities YMCA Passed Down in Beecherl Clan

The Beecherl family — including Kay Beecherl, Will Beecherl, Julie Beecherl, Kay Herring, JohnBeecherl, and Louis Beecherl III — are all involved in the renovation of the Park Cities YMCA. (Photo: Sarah Byrom)

For the Beecherls, leadership and service are practically genetic traits.

“The Beecherl family has been an integral part in the Park Cities community,” Dallas YMCA spokeswoman Sarah Byrom said.

Now that the University Park City Council finally approved renovation plans for the Park Cities YMCA in April, the real work must begin. Will Beecherl is the co-chair of the Capital Campaign, which oversees fundraising efforts for the rebuild. For him, it’s a labor of love passed on by his dad.

“The YMCA was a big passion for my father,” Highland Park resident Will Beecherl said. “His passion was giving back to institutions.”

The vote for the new, 58,500-square-foot facility was a long time coming; much community discussion went on for nearly a year before the approval was final. Beecherl knows a little something about local government himself, as he sits on the Highland Park Town Council. But across the city limits, his role is all about service and commitment to the community.

“As an adult raising my kids through the Y, I coached all four of my kids in soccer, and learned a lot about children’s needs and development,” he said. “I tried to act as more of a mentor and teach values.”

It’s that spirit of guidance and giving back that impact his work with the Y rebuild.

Part of the building plans include a special feature called the “legacy of leaders” wall, in which residents can honor all sorts of Park Cities leaders — not just those directly associated with the Y.

“Because the Park Cities is just overflown with philanthropic persons, we think the YMCA is an ideal place to display the rich history of the giving of these citizens,” Bryom said.

In order to share their excitement with the community, Y leaders hosted a preview party at the Dallas Country Club on May 21. At the event, architects from Good Fulton & Farrell showed a video of early renderings.

“There’s a lot of goals involved in the construction site,” Beecherl said.

Over the next few months, Beecherl’s goal is to spread his passion and gain support for the overhaul throughout the community. That said, the origins of the project are never far from his mind.

“Will’s father, Louis, had a big, philanthropic heart,” Byrom said. “This would make his dad so proud.”